Question 1

The basis for the practice of labor relations within a unionized employer is a contract negotiated by the parties.

Accepted Answer

A negotiated contract is the foundation of labor relations within a unionized employer. It outlines the terms and conditions of employment, as well as the rights and obligations of both management and employees. The contract is established through collective bargaining between the employer and the union representing the employees.

Question 2

Local community attitudes have no effect on union power.

Accepted Answer

Local community attitudes can have a significant impact on union power. If the community supports the union's cause, they are more likely to be successful in negotiations and strikes. If the community is opposed to the union, they may find it difficult to gain public support and achieve their goals. Additionally, local politicians can be influenced by community attitudes towards unions, which in turn can affect policy decisions that impact union power.

Question 3

Unionization provides employees a voice in how the employment relationship is implemented in their workplace.

Accepted Answer

Unionization allows employees to collectively bargain with management for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, giving them a say in how the employment relationship is structured and implemented in the workplace.

Question 4

The policies of large national unions are influenced strongly by the actions of majorities of local union members.

Accepted Answer

Local union members have a significant influence on the policies of national unions since they make up the majority of the union's membership. Local unions have significant power and often influence the direction of the national union by electing delegates to the national union's conventions and participating in the union's decision-making processes. Therefore, the majority of local union members play an essential role in shaping the policies of large national unions.

Question 5

Satisfaction of nonunion employees has drastically decreased when compared to that of unionized workers,thereby eliminating the motivation to organize.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that nonunion employees are still interested in organizing by indicating a lack of motivation due to decreased satisfaction. If satisfaction had drastically decreased for all employees (both union and nonunion), then it could be argued that the motivation for organizing would be eliminated. However, the statement only addresses the decrease in satisfaction for nonunion employees, not all employees.

Question 6

A lockout occurs when a unionized employment practice is adopted by nonunion employers in order to avoid unionization by copying what unions have won for their members.

Accepted Answer

A lockout is a work stoppage or denial of employment initiated by the management of a company during a labor dispute. It is not a practice adopted by nonunion employers to avoid unionization, but rather a tactic used by employers to pressure employees during negotiations.

Question 7

If the middle class perceives income distribution as fair,then support for collective bargaining will not be strong.

Accepted Answer

If the middle class perceives income distribution as fair, they may not see the need for collective bargaining to address income inequality or negotiate for higher wages and benefits. Therefore, their support for collective bargaining may not be as strong as if they perceived income distribution as unfair.

Question 8

Unions are developed to take over companies.

Accepted Answer

Unions are developed to protect the rights and interests of workers, negotiate for better wages and working conditions, and ensure safety and fairness in the workplace. They do not exist to take over companies.

Question 9

Increasing unionization in the industry where one is employed negatively influences wages.

Accepted Answer

Increasing unionization in the industry where one is employed typically leads to higher wages due to collective bargaining and increased bargaining power.

Question 10

Unions can exist without employers,but employers cannot exist without unions.

Accepted Answer

Employers can exist without unions, as they did before unions were established. Unions represent the collective voice and bargaining power of workers, but employers do not rely on their existence for their own.

Question 11

Employees are more likely to vote for unions due to job task characteristics rather than dissatisfaction with employment conditions.

Accepted Answer

Employees are more likely to vote for unions primarily due to dissatisfaction with employment conditions, such as wages, benefits, job security, and working conditions, rather than the characteristics of the job tasks themselves. Unionization efforts are often driven by a desire to improve these conditions.

Question 12

Operational decisions are made by the managers hired by the shareholders' elected board of directors.

Accepted Answer

Operational decisions are made by managers who report to the board of directors, who are elected by the shareholders. Managers are responsible for day-to-day operations, while the board of directors are responsible for setting the overall direction and policies of the company.

Question 13

Spillover is a pervasive phenomenon that occurs when a group perceives danger.

Accepted Answer

Spillover refers to the phenomenon where a disease crosses from animals to humans, not to a group's perception of danger.

Question 14

Union action cannot influence public policy decisions on potentially favorable tax abatements for employers.

Accepted Answer

Union action and advocacy can have an impact on public policy decisions, including those related to tax abatements for employers. Unions can negotiate for favorable tax incentives for their members and advocate for policies that support the interests of workers.

Question 15

Prices,and ultimately wages,are controlled by collective bargaining rather than by the market.

Accepted Answer

Prices and wages are determined by supply and demand in a free market economy. While collective bargaining may influence wages in some industries or professions, it does not control prices or wages across the entire economy.

Question 16

Groups of employees coalesce around common interests or group membership to pressurize their employers to address employment issues of particular interest to their groups.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Employees can form groups or associations based on common interests or identities, such as race or gender, to advocate for workplace issues related to their group. This is known as collective bargaining or group action.

Question 17

Stock markets create the opportunity to make ownership highly liquid by providing an institutionalized mechanism for the purchase and sale of shares.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true as stock markets allow for easy buying and selling of shares, making ownership of a company more liquid.

Question 18

Workers in companies with innovative human resource management practices are less likely to desire unions.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that workers in companies with innovative human resource management practices, such as employee involvement and development, have lower levels of interest in union representation.

Question 19

Dissatisfaction is consistently associated with turnover.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have found a strong link between job dissatisfaction and employee turnover. When employees are not satisfied with their job, they are more likely to leave the organization in search of better opportunities. This can lead to increased recruitment and training costs for the company. Therefore, it is important for organizations to address employee satisfaction in order to reduce turnover.

Question 20

In democracies,laws and regulations ultimately reflect the will of the electorate.

Accepted Answer

In democracies, laws and regulations are made by elected representatives who are chosen by the people through regular elections. Therefore, these laws and regulations ultimately reflect the will and preferences of the electorate.

Quiz 1: Introduction